Telecommunication energy management system

ABSTRACT

A telecommunication energy management system comprising a server configured to receive circuit current values identified with a respective piece of telecommunication equipment from a plurality of central boards located at respective telecommunication sites. The server integrates the received circuit current values and provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow a user to audit energy usage of each piece of telecommunication equipment of each telecommunication site.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to systems and methods of managing energy usagein a telecommunications network infrastructure.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications processes, equipment and devices consume largeamounts of power primarily due to ever increasing customer demands fordigital communications versus analog communications. With the increaseof consumption of large amounts of power, systems and methods for energymanagement in the telecommunications network infrastructure are desiredby telecommunications organizations. For example, telecommunicationsorganizations may desire to monitor and/or control power consumption byeach telecommunication equipment arranged in telecommunication siteswithin a telecommunications network infrastructure.

Existing energy monitoring methods are very coarse. For instance, energymanagement systems and methods have traditionally been utilized at asite level (e.g., a central office site or a wireless site). Forexample, a telecommunication organization may simply monitor energyconsumption of a single site by way of regularly comparing the site'sutility bills from month to month. While this approach helps ensure thatthe telecommunication site's energy consumption is at least consistent,it does not provide visibility to power consumption by each piece oftelecommunication equipment arranged in the telecommunication site.

As such, telecommunications companies are beginning to monitor powerconsumption at a power distribution system level. Specifically,telecommunications companies are beginning to monitor power consumptionat a primary power distribution level (e.g., a battery distributionfeeder bay (BDFB)). For example, a telecommunications company maymonitor energy consumption of a primary power distribution system bymonitoring a current shunt monitor of the primary power distributionsystem. While this approach provides visibility to power consumption atthe primary power distribution level, it also does not providevisibility to power consumption by each piece of telecommunicationequipment arranged in the telecommunication site.

Furthermore, a telecommunication company's ability to individuallycontrol each piece of telecommunication equipment disposed at remotewireless sites is also desired by telecommunication companies. Forexample, today's telecommunication companies may be capable ofcontrolling a remote wireless site's radios. However, atelecommunication organization may desire to control not only a radio,but also control the additional telecommunication equipment disposed atthe remote wireless site. Having the ability to control an entirewireless site system, including additional telecommunication equipment,would provide a telecommunication organization the ability to reduce aremote wireless site's operating costs. More specifically, today'sremote wireless telecommunication sites do not provide a central controlsystem capable of controlling each telecommunication equipment, powerdevice(s), and/or controller(s) disposed at the remote wireless site.Instead, a network operations center (NOC) may simply control eachindividual radio through a communication channel.

In addition, a telecommunication organization may desire to monitor andmanage energy usage of telecommunication equipment across an entiretelecommunication network infrastructure. For example, atelecommunication organization may monitor and manage energy consumptionby comparing one site's energy consumption with another site's energyconsumption. Some telecommunication organizations may even monitor andmanage energy consumption of primary power distribution systems acrossmultiple telecommunication sites. While these approaches may providevisibility to energy consumption at the telecommunication site level oreven to a primary power distribution level, it does not providevisibility to energy consumption by each piece of telecommunicationequipment arranged across the entire telecommunication networkinfrastructure.

Accordingly there remains a need in the art for individualtelecommunication equipment current monitors and remote wirelesstelecommunication site controllers. Similarly, there remains a need inthe art for a central server that is in communication with eachindividual telecommunication equipment current monitor and eachtelecommunication site controller to provide management capabilities ofenergy consumption by each piece of telecommunication equipment arrangedacross the entire telecommunication network infrastructure.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts for atelecommunication infrastructure energy management system and method,which is further described below in the Detailed Description. Thissummary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one example, a server may receive data from a plurality of centralboards located at respective telecommunication sites. The data maycomprise a plurality of reported circuit current values, each of whichmay be identified with a respective telecommunication equipment. Theserver may then integrate the received data. The server may also providea graphical user interface (GUI) that may be configured to allow a userto audit energy usage of each telecommunication equipment of eachtelecommunication site.

In another example, a telecommunication network infrastructure energymanagement server may provide an approved standard telecommunicationequipment list to each of a plurality of central boards located at arespective telecommunication site. Each of the approved standardtelecommunication equipment lists may be tailored for a respectivetelecommunication site.

In another example, one or more computer-readable media may comprisecomputer-executable instructions to perform acts similar to thoseperformed by the telecommunication network infrastructure energymanagement server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different figuresindicates similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment for a telecommunicationssystem including a central office site and a wireless site.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of a central officemonitoring system for use in a central office site.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates an example process ofmonitoring a central office site.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation of a central control systemfor use in a wireless site.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example implementation of an extension board.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates an example process ofcontrolling a wireless site.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example implementation of a telecommunicationnetwork infrastructure communicatively coupled with a telecommunicationenergy management server, along with a user device displaying atelecommunication energy management GUI provided by thetelecommunication energy management server.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates an example process of managingenergy usage in a telecommunication network infrastructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure is directed to a telecommunication monitoring system andmethod, a telecommunication central control system and method, and atelecommunication infrastructure energy management system and method. Insome of the monitoring system implementations, a Hall effect currentmonitor may be configured to monitor and report a current flowingthrough a piece of telecommunication equipment that the Hall effectcurrent monitor is identified with. In some of the central controlsystem implementations, a central control board may be disposed at awireless site to receive control signals to control eachtelecommunication equipment, power device(s), and/or controller(s)disposed at the remote wireless site. In some of the telecommunicationinfrastructure energy management system and method implementations, aserver may receive a plurality of reported current values for respectivetelecommunication equipment located at a respective telecommunicationsites, and provide a GUI to audit energy usage across thetelecommunication network infrastructure.

Traditional telecommunication energy monitoring systems have monitoredenergy consumption at the telecommunication site level. For example, atelecommunication organization may simply monitor energy consumption ofa single site (e.g., a central office or a remote wireless site) by wayof regularly comparing the site's utility bills. In other instances,meanwhile, some telecommunications companies monitor power consumptionat a primary power distribution level (e.g., a battery distributionfeeder bay (BDFB)) by monitoring a current shunt of the primary powerdistribution system. Because traditional monitoring systems and methodssimply monitor a total power consumption of either an entiretelecommunication site or of a battery distribution feeder bay, they arenot capable of monitoring a power consumption by each single piece oftelecommunication equipment and, therefore, are unable to perform trendanalysis with respect to each single piece of telecommunicationequipment's power consumption.

For example, traditional monitoring systems and methods are not able todetermine if a certain piece of telecommunication equipment is drawingmore current that it should be or if there are potential maintenanceissues with the piece of telecommunication equipment. Further,traditional monitoring systems and methods are not able to compare onetelecommunication equipment's power consumption with a second andpotentially same type of telecommunication equipment's powerconsumption. Having the ability to monitor power consumption of eachsingle piece of telecommunication equipment may reduce costly unexpectedtelecommunication equipment failures. In addition, having the ability tomonitor power consumption of each piece of telecommunication equipmentwill allow for optimization of a telecommunication site's infrastructureand reduce power consumption.

Traditionally, with respect to telecommunication control systems, anetwork operations center (NOC) may control individual radios at aremote wireless site through a communication channel. However, today'stelecommunication sites may have power devices (e.g., rectifiers andgenerators) that now come with a smart controller that allows forcontrolling the power devices. Telecommunication sites may also havethermal regulators capable of turning heating and cooling systems onand/or off based on a temperature of the telecommunication site. Sometelecommunication sites may be able to turn on and/or off loads based onlogic settings in a power device (i.e., a rectifier). While atraditional telecommunication wireless site may be capable ofcontrolling a radio remotely, self regulate its temperature, and selfregulate power devices, traditional telecommunication wireless sites donot have a central control board and, therefore, are unable to remotelycontrol each piece of telecommunication equipment, power device, andthermal regulator disposed at the wireless site.

For example, traditional telecommunication wireless sites are not ableto receive inputs (e.g., alarms and/or status information) at a centralcontrol board from various telecommunication components (e.g.,thermalelectric coolers, heat exchangers, generators, solar panels, windturbines, rectifiers, radio inputs, battery systems, breaker panel, fusepanels, or the like) and control the various telecommunicationcomponents remotely. Further, traditional telecommunication wirelesssites have limited ability to connect with the NOC. For example, sometraditional telecommunication wireless sites may only have a singletelephone line they can interface with, while other traditional wirelesssites may not have a connection unless a wireless modem is installed.Further, some traditional telecommunication wireless sites may only havea single Ethernet interface available. Having the ability to controlremotely each single piece of telecommunication equipment, each powerdevice, and each thermal regulator at a remote wireless site may reduceoperating expenses for a wireless carrier. In addition, implementing aremote wireless site that has the ability to connect with a NOC may alsoreduce operating expenses for a wireless carrier.

Traditionally, telecommunication organizations do not employ a centralserver capable of managing energy usage of each piece oftelecommunication equipment across a telecommunications infrastructurenetwork. Traditional telecommunication organizations also do not employa central server connected with telecommunication sites to provide aconfigured list of company standard telecommunication equipment to eachtelecommunication site for associating each piece of telecommunicationequipment with its own circuit. Further, traditional telecommunicationorganizations have limited ability to view and audit energy usage dataand do not have a graphical user interface (GUI) to provide externalauditors or internal company personnel to easily view and audit energyusage of each telecommunication equipment across a telecommunicationsinfrastructure network. For example, some traditional telecommunicationorganizations may only have a graphical display of information and somelogging. Having the ability to view and audit energy usage of each pieceof telecommunication equipment across a telecommunicationsinfrastructure network on a GUI may reduce operating expenses for atelecommunication company.

Accordingly, this disclosure describes systems and methods formonitoring, controlling, and managing each telecommunication equipmentacross a telecommunications infrastructure network, which may result ina reduction of operating expenses for today's higher power consumingdigital telecommunications network. To achieve these systems, in oneexample this application describes a telecommunication central officesite having a monitoring system configured to monitor a current flowingthrough each piece of telecommunication equipment arranged in thetelecommunication central office site. In another example thisapplication describes a telecommunication wireless site having a controlsystem configured to control and monitor each piece of telecommunicationequipment and each power device arranged in the telecommunicationwireless site. In another example this application describes atelecommunication network infrastructure management servercommunicatively coupled with the monitor systems arranged at thetelecommunication central office sites and control systems arranged atthe telecommunication wireless sites.

The monitor system arranged in the telecommunication central office sitehas a central monitoring board communicatively coupled with a currentmonitoring board. The current monitoring board may be disposed in aprimary power distribution system and/or may be disposed in a secondarypower distribution system. The current monitor board beingcommunicatively coupled with a current monitor. The current monitor maybe configured to monitor a current flowing through a circuit breaker ofa piece of telecommunication equipment and/or a current flowing througha fuse of a piece of telecommunication equipment. Each current monitorbeing identified with each piece of respective telecommunicationequipment. Thus, the communicatively coupled central monitoring board,current monitoring board, and current monitor, report each currentflowing through each piece of telecommunication equipment arranged inthe central office site, thereby increasing resolution of energy usageat the central office site. In some implementations the primary powerdistribution system is a battery distribution feeder bay (BDFB) and thesecondary power distribution system is a fuse panel or any other powerprotection system. In another implementation, the single current monitorcomprises a Hall effect current monitor.

Because these monitoring systems arranged in telecommunication centraloffice sites monitor energy usage of individual pieces oftelecommunication equipment arranged in the central office site, a morefinely detailed data is provided. This allows for trend analysis andtracking purposes. For example, because energy usage of individualpieces of telecommunication equipment is monitored, a central database(e.g., a central server) may track energy usage of eachtelecommunication equipment and determine where an error had been madeassigning the equipment type to an individual circuit basedSpecifically, a server may determine that an energy usage of a specifictype of telecommunication equipment is much higher and/or lower than thespecification for the specific type of telecommunication equipment callsfor.

The control system arranged in the telecommunication wireless site has acentral control board communicatively coupled with a primary board. Theprimary board may be disposed in a primary power distribution system,and may communicatively couple with a current monitor and control board.The current monitor and control board includes a current monitor and aswitch and may be configured to monitor a current flowing through acircuit breaker of a piece of telecommunication equipment and/or acurrent flowing through a fuse of a piece of telecommunicationequipment. The switch may be configured to open and/or close based on acontrol signal received from the central control board. Further, eachcurrent monitor and control board may be identified with each respectivetelecommunication equipment. For example, a telecommunication equipmentmay be assigned to a current monitor and control board via a standardtelecommunication equipment list. Thus, the central control board isconfigured to receive control signals to control each telecommunicationequipment arranged in the wireless site and to receive inputs from eachpiece of telecommunication equipment arranged in the wireless site, thusallowing more informed decisions to be made regarding power and thermalmanagement at the wireless site.

In some implementations an extension board is electrically coupled witha controller (e.g., an LVD controller or a thermal controller). Theextension board is communicatively coupled with the central controlboard and may control a controller based on a control signal receivedfrom the central control board. In some implementations, the extensionboard is communicatively coupled with the central control board via anRS-485 communications standard. In another implementation, the centralcontrol board comprises a LAN port communicatively coupled with a localswitch. The local switch may include a port communicatively coupled witha power device (e.g., a rectifier or a generator) and may be configuredto control the power device based on a control signal received from thecentral control board.

Because these control systems arranged in telecommunication wirelesssites receive inputs from each of the various telecommunicationcomponents within the site, and because the control systems receivecontrol signals for each of the various telecommunication componentsremotely, each telecommunication component may be controlled remotely.Thus, by controlling each telecommunication component arranged in atelecommunication wireless site, the total energy consumption of atelecommunication wireless site may be balanced and/or made to consumeenergy more efficiently. Thus an operating expense of wireless sites canbe reduced for a wireless carrier.

The management system manages energy usage of a telecommunicationnetwork infrastructure and aggregates data from across multipletelecommunication sites (i.e., central office sites and wireless sites).The management system has a central server to receive data from aplurality of central monitoring boards located at telecommunicationsites. The data comprising reported current values, each respectivelyidentified with a piece of telecommunication equipment. The centralserver may create and serve to a user device a graphical user interface(GUI) configured to allow a user to audit energy usage of eachtelecommunication equipment of each telecommunication site, auditservicing of telecommunication equipment of each telecommunication site,and audit assets of each telecommunication site. Thus, the server mayhave a database that stores aggregated data from across the multipletelecommunication sites useable with a GUI to perform audits. In someimplementations, the server provides an approved standardtelecommunication equipment list to each central board located at arespective telecommunication site. Each of the approved standardtelecommunication equipment lists may be tailored to respectivetelecommunication sites. In some implementations the data furthercomprises alarm signals and/or a status signal of power managementdevices (e.g., rectifiers and/or generators). In another implementation,the data further comprises a status signal of a control device (e.g., aLVD and/or a thermal control).

Because these management systems aggregate data from eachtelecommunication equipment of each telecommunication site across atelecommunication infrastructure network and provides a GUI to audit theaggregated data, a total energy consumption of each telecommunicationwireless site, as well as servicing of each telecommunication wirelesssite may be audited. Thus, operating expenses of telecommunication sitescan be reduced for a telecommunication organization.

While the illustrated embodiments show primary power distribution panelsand secondary power distribution panels comprising breakers and/orfuses, the breakers and fuses may be of any type of power protectiondevices suitable for use in DC telecommunications power systems. Forexample the breakers and/or fuses may be TPS, TLS, breakers, KTK, KLM,TPC, GMT “grasshopper” type power protection devices. Further, theprimary power distribution panels and secondary power distributionpanels described herein may be configured to utilize −48 VDC, +24 VDC,or other voltages, suitable for powering telecommunications equipment.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of an environment 100operable to provide a telecommunications network in which theapparatuses and procedures of the present disclosure may be employed.The environment 100 includes at least a portion of a telecommunicationnetwork infrastructure 102 (hereinafter “infrastructure”).Infrastructure 102 provides telecommunications processes, structures,equipment and devices between end-user devices such as modems, phones,facsimile devices, and so on used by end-users outside of theinfrastructure 102 to communicate via a telecommunications network.Within infrastructure 102 a variety of equipment, apparatus and devicesare utilized in routing, processing, distributing signals, anddistributing power. Telecommunications signals and data may beprocessed, switched, routed, tested, patched, managed, or distributed byvarious pieces of equipment in the infrastructure 102. Infrastructure102 may include fiber, copper and or other types of communicationcabling and transmission media utilized in routing, processing, anddistributing telecommunications signals.

A variety of sites 104(1)-104(L) within infrastructure 102 may maintainvarious equipment used in the infrastructure 102. Sites 104 may belocations within infrastructure 102 which hold a variety of structuresand equipment to facilitate processing and distributing oftelecommunications signals. The equipment may be centralized in one site(e.g., site 104(1)) or dispersed throughout different sites 104 ininfrastructure 102. In other words, interconnections may be made betweenvarious sites 104 in infrastructure 102, as shown, for example, by theconnection denoted in FIG. 1 by a dashed line between site 104(1),104(2), and 104(3). Naturally, numerous interconnections between aplurality of sites 104 may be made. The numerous interconnectionsbetween the plurality of sites may include a power distributioninterconnection to each of the sites. As depicted in FIG. 1,infrastructure 102 may have numerous sites 104 which may be differentphysical locations within infrastructure 102 such as a central officesite 104(4), a wireless site 104(5), a remote site 104(6), an outsideplant site 104(7), a co-locate site 104(8), any other site utilized byinfrastructure 102.

Each site 104 may have one or more housings 106 having a plurality ofcomponents 108. A housing 106 may be configured in a variety of ways tomaintain or hold a plurality of components 108 in infrastructure 102.For example, a housing 106 may be configured as a housing for a primarypower distribution panel (e.g., a BDFB), a secondary power distributionpanel (e.g., a fuse panel) a cabinet, a terminal block, a panel, achassis, a digital cross-connect, a switch, a hub, a rack, a frame, abay, a module, an enclosure, an aisle, or other structure for receivingand holding a plurality of components 108. Hereinafter, the termshousing and cabinet will be used for convenience to refer to the varietyof structures in infrastructure 102 that may hold components 108.

Housing 106 may be situated in a variety of locations, such as inside abuilding or placed outside. Housings 106, for example, may be configuredto protect components 108 from environmental influences when inside oroutside. FIG. 1, for instance, depicts site 104(1) as having twohousings (e.g., cabinets) 106, each having a plurality of components108. Other housings 106 may be included throughout infrastructure 102 atsites 104 as shown, for example, by housings 106 depicted within site104(2).

Components 108 are pieces of telecommunications equipment ininfrastructure 102 that may be kept or maintained in a housing 106 (e.g.cabinet) within the infrastructure 102. Components, for example, may becross-connect panels, modules, splitters, combiners, terminal blocks,chassis, backplanes, switches, digital radios, repeaters, and so forth.Components 108 may be those devices utilized for processing anddistributing signals in infrastructure 102 and which may be maintainedin a housing 104. Components 108 may be those devices for distributing,controlling, and monitoring power. For example components may be primarypower distribution panels, secondary power distribution panels, centralmonitor boards, central control boards, local switches, rectifiers,generators, main buses, LVD controllers, thermal controllers, batterysystems and so forth.

Network elements 110 are pieces of telecommunications equipment that maybe implemented in a variety of ways. For example, network elements 110may be configured as fiber optic equipment, switches, digital crossconnect (DSX) systems, telecommunication panels, terminal blocks,digital radios, network office terminating equipment, and any othertelecommunication equipment or devices employed in a telecommunicationsinfrastructure 102. Network elements 110 may be found within a cabinet106 as a component 108 of the cabinet.

The environment 100 depicts a plurality of end users 112(1)-112(M) whichmay be communicatively coupled, one to another, via a telecommunicationnetwork including infrastructure 102. End users 112 may refer to avariety of users, such as consumers, business users, internal users in aprivate network, and other types of users that use telecommunicationssignals or transmit and receive telecommunications signals via clientdevices. Additionally, for purposes of the following discussion clients112(1)-112(M) may also refer to the client devices and software whichare operable to transmit and receive telecommunications signals. Thus,clients 112(1)-112(M) may be implemented as users, software and/ordevices.

The interconnection of pieces of equipment (e.g. cabinets 106,components 108 and network elements 110, and so forth) provides signalpathways between equipment for signals input to and output frominfrastructure 102. For example, end-users 112(1)-112(M) may sendsignals into the infrastructure 102 and receive signals output from theinfrastructure using a variety of end user devices 114(1)-(N) (e.g., atelephone, mobile phone, or the like). End user 112(1), for instance,may communicate with end user 112(M) via end-user devices 114(1) and114(N). Thus, signals sent to and from infrastructure by end-users 112via an end user device 114 may be routed directed, processed, anddistributed in a variety of ways via the equipment and interconnectionswithin infrastructure 102.

Example Monitoring System

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of a central office site104(4) having a monitoring system for use in telecommunication networkinfrastructure 102. The monitoring system arranged in the central officesite 104(4) may track power consumption in the central office site104(4). The monitoring system may comprise a central monitoring board202 configured to receive and send a reported current value. FIG. 2illustrates the central monitoring board 202 coupled to a primary powerdistribution system 204 arranged in the central office site 104(4).While FIG. 2 illustrates the central monitoring board 202 being coupledto the primary power distribution system 204, the central monitoringboard 202 may be housed in a 1RU shelf, in a separate enclosure, orhoused (i.e., disposed) in the primary power distribution system 204.FIG. 2 illustrates the central monitoring board 202 comprising a LANport 206, a WAN port 208, and an onboard data storage 210. The primarypower distribution system 204 may be a Battery Distribution Feeder Bay(BDFB) in some instances. The primary power distribution system 204 mayhave input capacities of 800 amps and outputs circuits up to 125 amps insome instances.

In some instances, the central monitoring board 202 may be configured tocommunicate with a video camera, a weather station, a mobile device(e.g., a smart phone), or the like. For example, a central monitoringboard may communicate with a video camera that is capable of recording,among other things, a maintenance service performed on a piece oftelecommunications equipment by a human operator. Further, the centralmonitoring board 202 may comprise an open wireless technology (e.g.,Bluetooth™) for exchanging data with a mobile device (e.g., handhelddevice, handheld computer, smartphone, mobile phone, personal digitalassistant (PDA), or the like).

FIG. 2 illustrates a current monitoring board 212(1) disposed in theprimary power distribution system 204 and communicatively coupled withthe central monitoring board 202. FIG. 2 further illustrates the primarydistribution system 204 comprising current monitor(s) 214(1), 214(2),and 214(3) being arranged directly in-line with circuit breaker(s)216(1), 216(2), and 216(3), respectively. While FIG. 2 illustratescurrent monitor(s) being arranged directly in-line with circuitbreaker(s), the current monitor(s) may be arranged directly in-line withany other type of power protection device suitable for protectingequipment arranged in-line with the current monitor(s). The circuitbreaker current monitor(s) 214(1), 214(2), and 214(3) may beelectrically “daisy chained” with each other. The circuit breakercurrent monitor(s) 214(1), 214(2), and 214(3) being configured tomonitor a current flowing through the circuit breaker(s) 216(1), 216(2),and 216(3), respectively. The circuit breaker current monitor(s) 214(1),214(2), and 214(3) are configured to report the monitored circuitbreaker current to the primary power distribution current monitoringboard 212(1). Circuit breaker current monitor(s) 214(1), 214(2), and214(3) may be, for example, Hall effect current monitors, although anyother efficient (and potentially low cost) current sensors may beimplemented. The Hall effect current monitors may be purchased from asupplier. For example, the Hall effect current monitors may be purchasedfrom the following suppliers: Melexis Microelectronic Systems, locatedat Rozendaalstraat 12, B-8900 leper, Belgium; Allegro MicroSystems,Inc., located at 115 Northeast Cutoff, Worcester, Mass. 01606 USA;Analog Devices Inc. located at 3 Technology Way Norwood, Mass. 02062; orHoneywell International Inc., located at 101 Columbia Road Morristown,N.J. 07962.

While FIG. 2 illustrates a current monitoring board receiving reportedcurrents, the current monitoring board may monitor and/or measure otherindicators. For example, a current monitoring board may measure a localtemperature, a circuit voltage, the presence of absence of any sort ofleak (e.g., water, etc.), or the like. Further, a current monitoringboard may comprise one or more digital inputs and/or outputs, one ormore analog inputs and/or outputs, and be communicatively coupled withpower sensors.

Subsequent to the reporting, the primary power distribution currentmonitoring board 212(1) reports the monitored circuit breaker currentsto the central monitoring board 202. While FIG. 2 illustrates threecurrent monitors and three respective circuit breakers disposed in theprimary power distribution system 204, any number of current monitorsand respective circuit breakers are contemplated. Further, FIG. 2illustrates a current monitoring board 212(2) disposed in a secondarypower distribution system 218(1) and communicatively coupled with thecentral monitoring board 202. In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates anothercurrent monitoring board 212(3) disposed in another secondary powerdistribution system 218(2), which is also communicatively coupled withthe central monitoring board 202. More specifically, the currentmonitoring board(s) 212(1), 212(2), and 212(3) may be communicativelycoupled with the central monitoring board 202 via an RS-485communications standard.

While FIG. 2 may illustrate the current monitoring boardscommunicatively coupled with a central monitoring board via an RS-485communications standard, other suitable communication types arecontemplated. For example, the current monitoring boards may becommunicatively coupled with a central monitoring board via a discretedigital line, a discrete analog line, an RS-232 communications standard,an internet protocol (IP), or the like. While FIG. 2 illustrates thecurrent monitoring board(s) 212(1), 212(2), and 212(3), as being thesame or similar, the current monitoring board 212(1) may be distinct ordifferent from current monitoring boards 212(2) and 212(3). For example,current monitoring board 212(1) may be uniquely configured to receivethe monitored circuit breaker currents, as opposed to current monitoringboards 212(2) and 212(3) configured to receive the monitored fusecurrents.

Secondary power distribution system 218(1) and 218(2) may be located incabinets 106. Each secondary power distribution system 218(1) and 218(2)may bring 100 amps and deliver up to 20 amp circuits in some instances.The secondary power distribution system 218(1) is illustrated ascomprising current monitor(s) 220(1), 220(2), and 220(3) being arrangeddirectly in-line with fuse(s) 222(1), 222(2), and 222(3), respectively.While FIG. 2 illustrates current monitor(s) being arranged directlyin-line with fuse(s), the current monitor(s) may be arranged directlyin-line with any other type of power protection device suitable forprotecting equipment arranged in-line with the current monitor(s). Thefuse current monitor(s) 220(1), 220(2), and 220(3) may be electricallydaisy chained with each other. The fuse current monitor(s) 220(1),220(2), and 220(3) being configured to monitor a current flowing throughthe fuse(s) 222(1), 222(2), and 222(3), respectively. The fuse currentmonitor(s) 220(1), 220(2), and 220(3) may be configured to report themonitored fuse current to the secondary power distribution currentmonitoring board 212(2).

Subsequent to the reporting, the secondary power distribution currentmonitoring board 212(2) reports the monitored fuse currents to thecentral monitoring board 202. While FIG. 2 illustrates three currentmonitors and three respective fuses disposed in the secondary powerdistribution system 218(1), any number of current monitors andrespective fuses are contemplated. Further, while the secondary powerdistribution system 218(1) may illustrate distributing power to eachpiece of telecommunications equipment 108(1), 108(2), and 108(3), thesecondary power distribution system 218(1) may distribute power to anynumber of pieces of telecommunications equipment.

Similarly, while FIG. 2 illustrates three current monitors and threerespective fuses disposed in the secondary power distribution system218(2), any number of monitors and respective fuses are contemplated.Further, while the secondary power distribution system 218(2) may beillustrated as distributing power to each piece of telecommunicationsequipment 108(4), 108(5), and 108(6), the secondary power distributionsystem 218(2) may also distribute power to any number of pieces oftelecommunications equipment.

FIG. 2 also illustrates telecommunication equipment 108(7) arrangeddirectly in-line with the breaker 216(3) disposed in the primary powerdistribution system 204. While FIG. 2 illustrates one piece oftelecommunication equipment arranged directly in-line with a breaker,any number of telecommunication equipment may be arranged directlyin-line with any number of respective breakers. Here, with respect tothe central office site 104(4), each piece of telecommunicationequipment 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), 108(4), 108(5), 108(6), and 108(7),may be considered a circuit. In addition, each piece oftelecommunication equipment 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), 108(4), 108(5),108(6), and 108(7), may be considered a load. Further, each piece oftelecommunication equipment 108(1), 108(2), 108(3), 108(4), 108(5),108(6), and 108(7), may be identified with a respective monitor. Forexample, each piece of telecommunication equipment 108(1), 108(2),108(3), 108(4), 108(5), and 108(6), may be identified with fuse currentmonitors 220(1), 220(2), 220(3), 220(4), 220(5), and 220(6),respectively. Similarly, telecommunications equipment 108(7) may beidentified with circuit breaker current monitor 214(3). In addition,each secondary power distribution system 218(1) and 218(2) may beidentified with circuit breaker current monitors 214(1) and 214(2),respectively. While FIG. 2 may illustrate telecommunication equipment ascomponents 108, telecommunication equipment may be network elements 110,or any other suitable telecommunication equipment utilized bytelecommunication network infrastructure 102.

The central monitoring board 202 may comprise an approved standardtelecommunication equipment list stored in memory and configuredspecifically for the central office site 104(4). The approved standardtelecommunication equipment list may be used to define what is attachedto each circuit breaker or fuse position. The WAN port 208 may beconfigured to communicatively couple with a NOC 230, and a technician224 may communicatively couple a device 226 with the central monitoringboard 202 via the LAN port 206. Here, the technician 224 may interfacewith a GUI 228 to configure settings on the central monitoring board202. Further, the technician 224 may also utilize the approved standardtelecommunication equipment list to define what is attached to eachcircuit breaker or fuse position. For example, a technician mayinterface with the GUI 228 to select each telecommunication equipment108 and/or secondary power distribution systems 218(1) and 218(2) fromthe approved standard telecommunication equipment list unique to thecentral office site 104(4). Because each telecommunication equipment108(1), 108(2), 108(3), 108(4), 108(5), 108(6), and 108(7), and/orsecondary power distribution systems 218(1) and 218(2), may beidentified with respective monitors 220(1), 220(2), 220(3), 220(4),220(5), 220(6), and/or 214(1) and 214(2), the central monitoring board202 may identify each of the reported currents with the identifiedtelecommunication equipment and/or secondary power distribution systems.For example, the central monitoring board 202 may identify a reportedcircuit breaker current with the identified telecommunication equipment108(7) arranged in-line with the circuit breaker 216(3).

Further, the central monitoring board 202 may identify a reported fusecurrent with the identified telecommunication equipment 108(1) arrangedin-line with the fuse 222(1). In addition, the central monitoring board202 may associate a reported circuit breaker current with the identifiedsecondary power distribution system 218(1) arranged in-line with thebreaker 216(1). The central monitoring board 202 may also be configuredto work as a simple network management protocol (SNMP) client over theWAN port 208, which would provide for seamless integration with existingmanagement systems in the NOC 230. In addition or in the alternative,the central monitoring board 202 may also comprise a web server on theWAN port 208, which would provide for configuration of settings on thecentral monitoring board 202 from any network attached device.

The central monitoring board 202 onboard data storage 210 may log data,which may be provided for review of data after a failure oftelecommunication equipment or breaker/fuse trip. A display 232 (e.g., aliquid crystal display (LCD) or any other type of display) may also beincluded in the monitoring system. The display 232 may be disposed inthe primary power distribution system 204, or the display may be astandalone unit. The LCD may be communicatively coupled with the centralmonitoring board 202 and configured for displaying real time data,displaying configuration of attached loads, or displaying historicaldata.

FIG. 2 also illustrates a power system 234 arranged in the centraloffice site 104(4). The power system 234 may receive power from a powerutility and may be configured to deliver DC power to the primary powerdistribution system 204. As discussed above in more detail, the primarypower distribution system 204 may be configured to deliver power tosecondary power system(s) 218(1) and/or 218(2), and the secondary powerdistribution system(s) 218(1) and 218(2) may be configured to deliverpower to telecommunication equipment.

Example Process of Monitoring a Central Office Site

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates an example process 300 ofmonitoring a central office site, such as the central office site 104(4)illustrated in FIG. 2. While this figure illustrates an example order,it is to be appreciated that the described operations in this and allother processes described herein may be performed in other orders and/orin parallel in some instances. In the illustrated example, this processbegins at operation 302, where a central monitoring board (e.g., centralmonitoring board 202) disposed at a central office site may receive aplurality of reported current values (e.g., reported circuit breakercurrent values and/or reported fuse current values). Each of theplurality of reported current values may be identified with a respectivepiece of telecommunication equipment (e.g., telecommunication equipment108(1), 108(2), 108(3), 108(4), 108(5), 108(6), and 108(7)). Further,some or all of the plurality of reported current values may beidentified with a respective power distribution system (e.g., secondarypower distribution system 218(1) and/or 218(2)). For example, and asdiscussed above, a technician (e.g., technician 224) may utilize anapproved standard telecommunication equipment list, stored in memory ofthe central monitoring board, to define what is attached to each circuitbreaker or fuse position. While operation 302 describes a centralmonitoring board receiving a plurality of reported current valuesidentified with a respective piece of telecommunication equipmentarranged in the central office site, operation 302 may include thecentral monitoring board receiving a plurality of serial numbersidentified with respective telecommunication equipment and/or aplurality of current alarm states identified with respectivetelecommunication equipment.

Process 300 also includes operation 304, which represents the centralmonitoring board storing each of the plurality of reported currentvalues and their respective telecommunication equipment arranged in thecentral office site. For example, the central monitoring board may storeeach of the plurality of reported current values and their respectivetelecommunication equipment in the central monitoring board's onboarddata storage (e.g., onboard data storage 210). While operation 304describes a central monitoring board storing each of the plurality ofreported current values and their respective telecommunication equipmentarranged in the central office site, operation 304 may include thecentral monitoring board storing a plurality of serial numbersidentified with respective telecommunication equipment and/or aplurality of current alarm states also identified with the respectivetelecommunication equipment.

Process 300 may be completed at operation 306 in some instances, whichrepresents the central monitoring board providing the plurality ofreported current values and their respective telecommunication equipmentarranged in the central office site. For example, the central monitoringboard may provide the plurality of reported current values and theirrespective telecommunication equipment arranged in the central officesite to a display (e.g., display 230). While operation 306 describesproviding the plurality of reported current values and their respectivetelecommunication equipment arranged in the central office site to adisplay, operation 306 may include the central monitoring boardproviding the plurality of reported current values and their respectivetelecommunication equipment arranged in the central office site to acentral server and/or to another device (e.g., device 226). Further,while operation 306 describes providing plurality of reported currentvalues and their respective telecommunication equipment arranged in thecentral office site, operation 306 may include providing the pluralityof serial numbers identified with respective telecommunication equipmentand/or a plurality of current alarm states also identified with therespective telecommunication equipment.

Example Control System

FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation of a wireless site 104(5)having a central control system for use in telecommunication networkinfrastructure 102. The control system arranged in the wireless site104(5) may take in inputs from a plurality of components 108 or networkelements 110 at the wireless site 104(5). For example, a central controlboard 402 may take in inputs from thermalelectric coolers, heatexchangers, generators, solar panels, wind turbines, rectifiers, radioinputs, battery systems, breaker panels, fuse panels or GMT panels. Thecentral control board 402 may take in inputs over discrete digitallines, over discrete analog lines, over an RS232 communication standard,over an RS485 communication standard, or over an IP based communication.The central control board 402 may receive, from each component 108 ornetwork elements 110 at the wireless site 104(5), alarms when parametersare outside optimal bounds. The central control board 402 may alsoreceive status information (e.g., current draw, voltage level, switchstate, wind speed, or the like) from the components 108 and/or thenetwork elements 110.

The central control board 402 may be configured to receive controlsignals. The central control board 402 may be similar to, and comprisemany of the same features as the central monitoring board 202. FIG. 4illustrates the central control board 402 coupled to a primary powerdistribution system 404 arranged in the wireless site 104(5). While FIG.4 illustrates the central control board 402 being arranged with theprimary power distribution system 404, the central control board 402 maybe housed in a 1RU shelf, in a separate enclosure, or housed (i.e.,disposed) in the primary power distribution system 404.

FIG. 4 illustrates the central control board comprising a LAN port 406,a WAN port 408, and an onboard data storage 410. The primary powerdistribution system 404 is typically a Battery Distribution Frame Bay(BDFB). FIG. 4 illustrates a primary board 412 disposed in the primarypower distribution system 404 and communicatively coupled with thecentral control board 402. FIG. 4 further illustrates the primarydistribution system 404 comprising current monitor and control board(s)414(1), 414(2), and 414(3) being arranged directly in-line with circuitbreaker 416, fuse(s) 418(1), and 418(2), respectively. While FIG. 4illustrates current monitor and control board(s) being arranged directlyin-line with circuit breaker(s) and fuse(s), the current monitor andcontrol board(s) may be arranged directly in-line with any other type ofpower protection device suitable for protecting equipment arrangedin-line with the current monitor and control board(s). The currentmonitor and control board(s) 414(1), 414(2), and 414(3) may beelectrically daisy chained with each other. While FIG. 4 illustrates thecurrent monitor and control boards 414(1), 414(2), and 414(3), as beingthe same or similar, the current monitor and control board 414(1) may bedistinct or different from current monitor and control boards 414(2) and414(3). For example, current monitor and control board 414(1) may beuniquely configured to receive the monitored circuit breaker current, asopposed to current monitor and control boards 414(2), and 414(3)configured to receive the monitored fuse currents. Each of the currentmonitor and control board(s) 414(1), 414(2), and 414(3) may comprise acurrent monitor 420(1), 420(2), and 420(3) arranged along with a switch422(1), 422(2), and 422(3), respectively. The current monitor(s) 420(1),420(2), and 420(3) may be similar to, and comprise many of the samefeatures as the monitors 214(1), 220(1), and 220(2), respectively. Eachof the current monitor(s) 420(1), 420(2), and 420(3), may be configuredto monitor a current flowing through the circuit breaker 416, andfuse(s) 418(1), and 418(2), respectively. Each of the current monitor(s)420(1), 420(2), and 420(3), may also be configured to report themonitored circuit breaker current and or fuse current to the primaryboard 412.

Circuit breaker current monitor 420(1) may comprise, for example, a Halleffect current monitor. Similarly, each of fuse current monitors 420(2)and 420(3) may also comprise, for example, a Hall effect currentmonitor. However, any other efficient and low cost current sensor may beimplemented by the current monitors. Subsequent to the reporting, theprimary board 412 may in turn report the monitored circuit breaker andfuse currents to the central control board 402. Each of the switch(s)422(1), 422(2), and 422(3) may be configured to turn on and/or off basedon a control signal received from the central control board 402. Forexample, switch 422(1) may be configured to turn on and/or off, andswitch 422(2) may be configured to turn on and/or off based on a controlsignal received from the central control board 402. While FIG. 4illustrates three current monitor and control boards arranged directlyin-line with a circuit breaker and fuses, respectively, any number ofcurrent monitor and control boards are contemplated. Similarly, whileFIG. 4 illustrates a single circuit breaker and two fuses disposed inthe primary power distribution system 404, any number of circuitbreakers and fuses are contemplated.

FIG. 4 illustrates an extension board(s) 424(1) and 424(2) that may bearranged in the wireless site 104(5). FIG. 4 illustrates the extensionboard(s) 424(1) and 424(2) each electrically coupled with a controller426(1) and 426(2), respectively. FIG. 4 further illustrates theextension board(s) 424(1) and 424(2) may be communicatively coupled withthe central control board 402. The extension board(s) 424(1) and 424(2)may each be configured to control the controller(s) 426(1) and 426(2),respectively, based on a control signal received from the centralcontrol board 402. The extension board(s) 424(1) and 424(2) may each becommunicatively coupled with the central control board 402 via an RS-485communications standard. In addition, the primary board 412 may becommunicatively coupled with the central control board 402 via an RS-485communications standard. While FIG. 4 illustrates two extension boardsand two respective controllers arranged in the wireless system 104(5),any number of extension boards and respective controllers arecontemplated.

Further, while FIG. 4 may illustrate the controller 426(1) as a LVDcontrol, the controller 426(1) may be any type of controller suitablefor controlling telecommunication equipment (e.g., components 108 ornetwork elements 110). Here, the LVD controller 426(1) may be configuredto connect and/or disconnect batteries 428 from a main bus 430 based ona control signal received from the central control board 402. Similarly,while FIG. 4 may illustrate the controller 426(2) as a thermal control,the controller 426(2) may be any type of controller suitable forcontrolling telecommunication equipment (e.g., components 108 or networkelements 110). Here, the thermal controller 426(2) may be configured tocontrol a temperature of the wireless site system 104(5) based on acontrol signal received from the central control board 402.

FIG. 4 illustrates the primary power distribution system 404 maycomprise a radio arranged directly in-line with the circuit breaker 416,a telecommunication equipment 108(8) arranged directly in-line with thefuse 418(1), and the thermal control 426(2) arranged directly in-linewith the fuse 418(2). While the primary power distribution system 404may be illustrated as distributing power to a radio 432, atelecommunication equipment 108(8), and the thermal controller 426(2),the primary power distribution system 404 may also distribute power toany number of radios, telecommunication equipments, thermal controls, orthe like, used by the wireless site 104(5). While FIG. 4 may illustratetelecommunication equipment as component 108, telecommunicationequipment may be network elements 110, or any other suitabletelecommunication equipment utilized by telecommunication networkinfrastructure 102.

Here, the radio 432, the telecommunication equipment 108(8), and thermalcontrol 426(2) may each be considered a circuit, respectively. Further,the radio 432, the telecommunication equipment 108(8), and thermalcontrol 426(2), may each be considered a load. Further, the radio 432,the telecommunications equipment 108(8), and thermal control 426(2) maybe identified with a respective current monitor and control board. Forexample, the radio 432 may be identified with current monitor andcontrol board 414(1), the telecommunication equipment 108(8) may beidentified with current monitor and control board 414(2), and thethermal control may be identified with current monitor and control board414(3).

Similar to the central monitoring board 202, discussed above withrespect to FIG. 2, the central control board 402 may comprise anapproved standard telecommunication equipment list stored in memory.Here however, the approved standard telecommunication equipment list maybe configured specifically for the wireless site 104(5). The approvedstandard telecommunication equipment list may be used to define what isattached to each circuit breaker or fuse position, while theconfiguration of the wireless site 104(5) may be handled in thebackground without input from a technician 224.

As discussed above, and similar to the central monitor board 202, thecentral control board 402 may comprise a LAN port 406, a WAN port 408,and onboard board data storage 410. The WAN port 408 may be configuredto communicatively couple with a NOC 230, and a technician 224 maycommunicatively couple a device 226 (i.e., a local user device) with thecentral control board 402 via the LAN port 206. The WAN port 408 may beconfigured to receive a control signal and to send data. For example,the WAN port 408 may receive a control signal from the NOC 230 and datamay be sent to the NOC 230 from the WAN port 408. The technician 224 mayinterface with a GUI 228 to configure settings on the central controlboard 402.

Further, the technician 224 may also utilize the approved standardtelecommunication equipment list to define what is attached to eachcircuit breaker or fuse position. For example, a technician mayinterface with the GUI 228 to select each radio (e.g., radio 432), eachpiece of telecommunication equipment (e.g., telecommunication equipment108(8), thermal control (e.g., thermal control 426(2)), or any othercomponent 108 from the approved standard telecommunication equipmentlist unique to the wireless site 104(5). Because each radio (e.g., radio432), piece of telecommunication equipment (e.g., telecommunicationequipment 108(8), thermal control (e.g., thermal control 426(2)), or anyother component 108, may be identified with respective current monitorand control boards 414(1), 414(2), and 414(3), the central control board402 may identify each of the reported currents with the identifiedradio, telecommunication equipment, thermal control, or any othercomponent 108. For example, the central control board 402 may identify areported circuit breaker current with the identified radio 432 arrangeddirectly in-line with the circuit breaker 416.

Further, the central control board 402 may identify a reported fusecurrent with the identified telecommunication equipment 108(8) arrangeddirectly in-line with the fuse 418(1). In addition, the central controlboard 402 may associate a reported fuse current with the identifiedthermal control 426(2) arranged in-line with the fuse 418(2). Asdiscussed above, the central control board 402 may comprise a LAN port406. The central control board 402 may comprise a plurality of protocolsavailable for communication over the LAN port. The LAN port 406 may bean internal LAN port configured to connect to a single device (e.g.,device 226) or could be connected to a network switch to allow multipledevices to be connected.

For example, a weather station may be IP-based and connected over IPwith a local switch (e.g., port 436(1)). The central control board 402may also be configured to work as an SNMP aggregator. For example, thecentral control board 402 may act as an SNMP client over the WAN port208, which would provide for seamless integration with existingmanagement systems in the NOC 230. The central control board 402 may beconfigured to act as an SNMP server and collect all SNMP informationavailable from the SNMP enabled devices attached (e.g., communicativelycoupled) to the LAN network.

In addition, the central control board 402 may also comprise a webserver on the WAN port 408 (there could also be a web server on LAN port406 to allow device 226 to access configuration settings), which wouldprovide for configuration of settings on the central control board 402from any network attached device. The central control board 402 maycomprise a connection over a modem (e.g., a plain old telephone service(POTS) line or a global system for global communications (GSM) modem).Because the control system may incorporate the routing functionality,the wireless site 104(5) may only comprise one WAN port 208. Forexample, the NOC may log in and interface with the central control board402 to determine the components 108 connected to the central controlboard 402 at the wireless site 104(5). The onboard data storage 210 ofthe central control board 402 may log data, which may provide for remotedownloading of data and subsequently used to analyze the wireless site104(5) performance.

Further, the central control board 402 may be configured to handle thenetwork address translation (NAT) to provide for the NOC to access itemsattached to the LAN port interface directly or through the local switch.The central control board 402 may be configured to provide a trustedinterface between an operations group utilizing the WAN port and anetwork group utilizing the LAN port. For Example, the NOC may be ableto log in and with the proper permissions interface with the IP weatherstation or an attached generator. For example, the central control board402 may require all or substantially all communication traffic to takeplace on the LAN port side, where a firewall may separate the WAN portcommunications from the LAN port communications. The central controlboard may comprise a processor arranged with the WAN port side andanother processor arranged with the LAN port side. As such, the centralcontrol board firewall and two processors may provide for clean andtrusted communications between the WAN port side and the LAN port side.

FIG. 4 illustrates that a local switch 434 may be arranged in thewireless site 104(5). The local switch 434 may be communicativelycoupled with the LAN port 406. FIG. 4 illustrates the local switch maycomprise port(s) 436(1), 436(2), and 436(3). Each of the port(s) 436(1),436(2), and 436(3) may be communicatively coupled with a power device(e.g., a rectifier 438 or a generator 440) and/or a local user device226, respectively. Any one of the port(s) 436(1), 436(2), and 436(3) maybe configured to provide trusted access to a power device(s)communicatively coupled with the local switch 434, and trusted access toany components 108 connected to the central control board 402 at thewireless site 104(5). For example, FIG. 4 illustrates port 436(3) may beconfigured to provide trusted access to the rectifiers 438 andgenerators 440, as well as to radio 432, telecommunication equipment108(8), and thermal control 426(2). Each of the port(s) 436(1), 436(2),and 436(3) may be configured to control a power device based on acontrol signal received from the central control board 402. For example,port 436(1) may be communicatively coupled with the generators 440, viaan Ethernet connection, and may turn on and/or off the generators 440based on a control signal received from the central control board 402.Further, port 436(2) may be communicatively coupled, via an Ethernetconnection, with the rectifiers 438 and may set the rectifiers 438 todeliver a particular DC power based on a control signal received fromthe central control board 402.

Example Extension Board

FIG. 5 illustrates an example extension board 502, which may be animplementation of the extension board(s) 424(1) and 424(2) illustratedin FIG. 4. As discussed above, extension board 502 may becommunicatively coupled with the central control board 402. For example,extension board 502 may be communicatively coupled with the centralcontrol board 402 via an RS-485 communications standard.

Extension board 502 may be configured to receive power from the centralcontrol board 402 or a power device(s) 504. For example, extension board502 may be configured to receive filtered or un-filtered power from abattery (e.g., batteries 428), a rectifier (e.g., rectifier 438), agenerator (e.g., generator 440) or any other type of device that iscapable of providing power. FIG. 5 illustrates the extension board 502may comprise a chip 506. The chip 506 may be configured to report itsfunction based on a controller 508 it is electrically coupled with. Inaddition, the chip 506 may be configured to report its function to thecentral control board 402. For example, the controller 508 may be a LVDcontroller (e.g., LVD control 426(1)) configured to connect and/ordisconnect a battery (e.g., battery 428) from a main bus (e.g., main bus430), and the extension board chip 506 may report its function as a LVDcontroller to the central control board 402. Further, the controller 508may be a thermal controller (e.g., thermal control 426(2)) configured tocontrol a temperature of the wireless site 104(5), and the extensionboard chip 506 may report its function as a thermal controller to thecentral control board 402. FIG. 5 illustrates the extension board 502may comprise a power regulator 510 to provide reliable voltage receivedfrom a local power source (e.g., a central control board 402 or a powerdevice 504).

Example Process of Controlling a Wireless Site

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates an example process 600 ofcontrolling a wireless site, such as the wireless site 104(5)illustrated in FIG. 4. In some instances, this process begins atoperation 602, where a central control board (e.g., central controlboard 402) disposed at a wireless site may receive a control signal forone of a plurality of devices 108 disposed at the wireless site 104(5).For example, the central control board disposed at the wireless site mayreceive a control signal for one of a radio (e.g., radio 432), a pieceof telecommunication equipment (e.g., telecommunication equipment108(8), a thermal control (e.g., thermal control 426(2)), a LVD control(e.g., LVD control 426(1)), a rectifier (e.g., rectifier 438), agenerator (e.g., generator 442), or the like. As discussed above, thecentral control board may be communicatively coupled with the pluralityof devices 108 via an RS-485 communications standard or the like. Whileprocess 600 comprises a central control board receiving a control signalfrom a NOC (e.g., NOC 230), the central control board may compriseonboard logic to control any of the plurality of device disposed at thewireless site. For example, a central control board may comprise onboardlogic to take action in the absence of an override communication withthe NOC.

Process 600 also includes operation 604, which represents the centralcontrol board determining a device from the plurality of devices to becontrolled based at least in part on the received control signal. Insome instances, the central control board maintains a list of devices towhich the central control board couples. This list may be configured byan operator of the central control board, and technicians may adddevices to the list in response to connecting the devices to the centralcontrol above. In one example, for instance, the central control boardmay determine that the device to be controlled comprises a rectifier ora generator disposed at the wireless site. Further, the central controlboard may determine that the device to be controlled comprises a radio,a piece of telecommunication equipment, or a thermal control arrangedwith a BDFB (e.g., BDFB 404). More specifically, the central controlboard may determine that the device to be as well as the determineddevice's identified circuit. For example, the central control board maydetermine that the piece of telecommunication equipment 108(8) is to becontrolled and that it is identified with current monitor and controlboard 414(3).

Process 600 also includes operation 606, which represents the centralcontrol board sending the received control signal to the determineddevice disposed at the wireless site.

Next, at operation 608, the central control board controls thedetermined device disposed at the wireless site in response to thereceived control signal. For example, a NOC (e.g., NOC 230) may bemonitoring a weather station disposed at the wireless site. The NOC maydetermine the weather is getting cloudy and may send a control signal tothe thermal control comprising a signal to ramp down a cooling of thewireless site. The central control board may then control a thermalcontrol based on the received control signal from the NOC. In addition,the NOC may be monitoring a voltage on a main bus (e.g., main bus 430)and may determine that the batteries (e.g., batteries 428) are gettingtoo low and, hence, may be susceptible to becoming damaged. In response,the NOC may send a control signal to the central control board totrigger the LVD control to take the batteries off the main bus. Thecentral control board may then control the LVD control based on thereceived control signal from the NOC.

Further, the NOC may be managing different types supply voltages (e.g.,solar panel supply voltage, wind turbine supply voltage, utility supplyvoltage) on an AC side at the wireless site. As such, the NOC may sendcontrol signals to the central control board to control the rectifiersto load share between solar panels, wind turbines, and utility supplyvoltages. For example, the NOC may be monitoring a weather stationdisposed at the wireless site and may determine a lack of wind and senda control signal to the central control board to increase therectifiers. The central control board may then control the rectifiersbased on the received control signal from the NOC.

Operation 610 may follow operation 608, which may represent the centralcontrol board receiving an alarm signal or a status signal from one ofthe plurality of devices. For example, the central control board mayreceive an alarm signal from a main bus that a voltage parameter isoutside an optimal bound. Further, the central control board may receivea status information signal received from a device disposed at thewireless site. For example, the central control board may receive acurrent draw, a voltage level, a switch state, a wind speed, or thelike, from a device disposed at the wireless site.

Process 600 may be completed at operation 612, which represents thecentral control board sending an alarm signal or a status signal of adevice from the plurality of devices disposed at the wireless site. Forexample, the central control board may send the received alarm signalfrom the main bus that a voltage parameter is outside an optimal bound.The central control board may send alarm signals or status signals ofdevices to an energy management server. As discussed in more detailbelow, an energy management server may be configured to integrate thereceived data from the central boards to allow a user (e.g., an auditor)to audit an energy usage of each piece of telecommunication equipment ofeach telecommunication site and/or audit a servicing or maintenance ofeach piece of telecommunication equipment of each telecommunicationsite. A user may then make more informed decisions regarding power andthermal management or maintenance of each telecommunication site.

Example Management System

FIG. 7 illustrates an example implementation of a telecommunicationnetwork infrastructure 102 having a telecommunication energy managementserver 702. The telecommunication energy management server 702 may befor managing an energy usage by the telecommunication networkinfrastructure 102 at varying levels of granularity. FIG. 7 illustratesthe server 702 may be communicatively connected with a plurality ofcentral board(s) 704(1), 704(2), and 704(3). Each of the centralboard(s) 704(1), 704(2), and 704(3) may be located at a respectivetelecommunication site(s) 104(4), 104(5), and 104(6). For example,server 702 may be communicatively connected with a central board 704(1)(e.g., a central monitoring board 202) located at a central office site104(4), a central board 704(2) (e.g., a central control board 402)located at a wireless site 104(5), and a central board 704(3) located ata remote site 104(6), respectively. While FIG. 7 illustrates the server702 being communicatively connected with three central boards, eachlocated at a respective telecommunication site, the server 702 may becommunicatively connected with any number of central boards located atrespective telecommunication sites. FIG. 7 illustrates the server 702may comprise a processor(s) 706, memory 708, and a GUI module 710. Thememory 708 may be configured to store instructions executable on theprocessor(s) 706, and may comprise an approved standardtelecommunication equipment list 712 and monitoring data 714. FIG. 7further illustrates the server 702 communicatively connected with a userdevice 226 displaying a GUI 228 to an auditor(s) 716. The server 702 mayalso be configured to add in data from utility companies. For example,the server 702 may store in its memory 708 power pricing data madeavailable by utility companies.

The memory 708 may store instructions that are executable on theprocessor(s) 706 and that are configured to provide the approvedstandard telecommunication equipment list 712 to each of the centralboard(s) 704(1), 704(2), and 704(3) located at telecommunication site(s)104(4), 104(5), and 104(6), respectively. Each of the approved standardtelecommunication equipment list 712, provided by the server 702, may bespecifically tailored for a telecommunication site(s) 104(4), 104(5),and 104(6), respectively. For example, server 702 may provide a uniquelytailored approved standard telecommunication equipment list 712 to acentral control board 402 located at wireless site 104(5). The providedapproved standard telecommunication equipment list 712 may allow aselection of a telecommunication equipment to be installed in-line witha circuit breaker (e.g., circuit breaker(s) 216(1)-216(3)) disposed in aprimary power distribution system (e.g., primary power distributionsystem 204). Each of the telecommunication equipment listed in theapproved standard telecommunication equipment list 712 may be associatedwith a respective specification for the specific type oftelecommunication equipment. Further, the provided approved standardtelecommunication equipment list 712 may allow a selection of atelecommunication equipment to be installed in-line with a fuse (e.g.,fuse(s) 222(1)-222(6)) disposed in a secondary power distribution system(e.g., secondary power distribution system 218). For example, atechnician may select telecommunication equipment from an approvedstandard telecommunication equipment list 712 that the technicianinstalls, replaces, or upgrades at the telecommunication site. Further,the technician may subsequently save the selections as a preconfiguredlist in a memory of the central monitoring board disposed at thetelecommunication site. The preconfigured list may comprise each of theparticular devices installed at the telecommunication site and theirrespective circuits.

In addition, the memory 708 may store instructions executable on theprocessor(s) 706 to receive data from the central board(s) 704(1),704(2), and 704(3) located at telecommunication site(s) 104(4), 104(5),and 104(6), respectively. The received data may comprise a plurality ofreported current values, each reported current value being identifiedwith a respective piece of telecommunication equipment (e.g.,telecommunication equipment 108(1)-108(8)). Further, the server 702memory 708 storing instructions executable on the processor(s) 706 maybe configured to integrate the received data from the central board(s)704(1), 704(2), and 704(3) located at telecommunication site(s) 104(4),104(5), and 104(6), respectively. For example, the server 702 mayintegrate data from individual current monitors (e.g., monitors214(1)-214(3), 220(1)-220(6), and/or 420(1)-420(3)). The memory 708 mayalso store instructions executable on the processor(s) 706 to provide aGUI (e.g., GUI 228). The GUI may be configured to allow a user (e.g., anauditor(s) 716) to audit an energy usage of each piece oftelecommunication equipment of each telecommunication site. For example,the GUI may allow a user to audit energy usage of each piece oftelecommunication equipment at a circuit level, compare energy usage ofcompeting brands of particular pieces of telecommunication equipment,compare energy usage of a particular piece of telecommunicationequipment across telecommunication sites, or compare energy usage of aparticular piece of telecommunication equipment across geographicregions. The GUI may also allow a user to audit a servicing oftelecommunication sites or audit maintenance of telecommunication sites.For example, the GUI may provide a status of a wireless site (e.g.,wireless site 104(4)). The GUI may additionally or alternatively providehow long an enclosure door was open, or determine if a generator's fueltank was completely filled, amongst other notifications.

Example Process of Managing an Energy Usage by a TelecommunicationNetwork Infrastructure

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates an example process 800 ofmanaging an energy usage by a telecommunication network infrastructure102 using the telecommunication energy management server 702 of FIG. 7.In some instances, this process begins at operation 802, where a server(e.g., server 702) may receive data from a plurality of central boards(e.g., central board(s) 704(1), 704(2), and 704(3)) located atrespective telecommunication sites. For example, the server may receivedata from a central monitoring board 202 located at a central officesite 104(4), a central control board 402 located at a wireless site104(5), or any other central board located at any othertelecommunication site. As discussed above, the received data maycomprise a plurality of reported current values, each reported currentvalue being identified with a respective piece of telecommunicationequipment. Further, the server may be communicatively connected with aWAN port (e.g., WAN port 208) disposed on each central board and receivethe data via the WAN port connection. In addition, the server mayreceive the data from an onboard removable storage (e.g., onboardremovable storage 210 or onboard removable storage 410) of each of thecentral boards. For example, each central board may comprise onboardremovable storage storing the data comprising the plurality of reportedcurrent values, each reported current value being identified with arespective piece of telecommunication equipment. The onboard removablestorage may be removed from each central board and subsequently uploadedto the server. This could be done according to a schedule or during aservicing of equipment.

Process 800 also includes, operation 804, which represents the serverintegrating the received data from the plurality of central boardslocated at the respective telecommunication sites. For example, theserver may integrate the received data to allow a user (e.g., anauditor(s) 716) to audit energy usage of each telecommunicationequipment at a circuit level, compare energy usage of competing brandsof particular telecommunication equipment, compare energy usage of aparticular piece of telecommunication equipment across telecommunicationsites, or compare energy usage of a particular piece oftelecommunication equipment across geographic regions.

Process 800 also includes operation 806, which represents the serverproviding a GUI (e.g., GUI 228) configured to allow a user to audit anenergy usage of each piece of telecommunication equipment of eachtelecommunication site. For example, as discussed above, the GUI mayallow a user to audit energy usage of each piece of telecommunicationequipment at a circuit level, compare energy usage of competing brandsof particular pieces of telecommunication equipment, compare energyusage of a particular piece of telecommunication equipment acrosstelecommunication sites, or compare energy usage of a particular pieceof telecommunication equipment across geographic regions.

Process 800 may further include operation 808, which may represent theserver providing an approved standard telecommunication list (e.g.,approved standard telecommunication equipment list 712) to each centralboard located at a respective telecommunication site. For example, theserver may provide an approved standard telecommunication equipment listto allow a selection of a particular piece of telecommunicationequipment to be installed in an individual circuit in the respectivetelecommunication site. The server may provide an approved standardtelecommunication equipment list to allow a selection of atelecommunication equipment to be repaired at the respectivetelecommunication site. The server may also provide an approved standardtelecommunication equipment list to allow a selection of a piece oftelecommunication equipment to be replaced at the respectivetelecommunication site.

Operation 810 may follow and represent the server receiving an alarmsignal or a status signal of a power management device (e.g., arectifier 438, a generator 440, a main bus 430). For example, the servermay receive an alarm signal from a central control board that a voltageparameter is outside an optimal bound.

Process 800 may be completed at operation 812, which represents theserver receiving a status signal of a control device (e.g., LVD control426(1) or thermal control 426(2)).

Conclusion

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claims.

1. A method of managing energy usage by a telecommunication networkinfrastructure, the method comprising: providing, by a server, anapproved standard telecommunication equipment list to each central boardlocated at a respective telecommunication site of a telecommunicationnetwork infrastructure, the approved standard telecommunicationequipment list being tailored to a respective telecommunication site;receiving, by the server, respective reported current values from theplurality of central boards, wherein each reported current value isidentified with a respective piece of telecommunication equipmentlocated at a respective telecommunication site of the telecommunicationnetwork infrastructure; integrating, by the server, the reported currentvalues from the plurality of central boards located at the respectivetelecommunication sites; and providing, by the server, a Graphical UserInterface (GUI) configured to allow a user to audit energy usage of eachpiece of telecommunication equipment of each telecommunication siteprovided by the reported current values.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the provided approved standard telecommunication equipment listallows a selection of a piece of telecommunication equipment to beinstalled in an individual circuit in the respective telecommunicationsite.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the provided approved standardtelecommunication equipment list allows a selection of a piece oftelecommunication equipment to be repaired at the respectivetelecommunication sites.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providedapproved standard telecommunication equipment list allows a selection ofa piece of telecommunication equipment to be replaced at the respectivetelecommunication sites.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the server iscommunicatively coupled with each central board located at therespective telecommunication sites.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinthe server is communicatively coupled with a Wide Area Network (WAN)port disposed on each central board located at the respectivetelecommunication sites.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein each centralboard located at a respective telecommunication site comprises onboardremovable storage storing data comprising a plurality of reportedcurrent values, each reported current value being identified with arespective piece of telecommunication equipment, and wherein the onboardremovable storage is removed from each central board located at arespective telecommunication site for subsequently uploading the datastored thereon to the server.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein theonboard removable storage is removed from each central board located ata respective telecommunication site and the data is subsequentlyuploaded to the server according to a schedule or during a maintenanceservice of a telecommunication site.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of central boards comprises a centralmonitoring board disposed in a central office or a central control boarddisposed in a wireless site.
 10. An energy management server for atelecommunication network infrastructure, the server comprising: aprocessor, and memory storing instructions executable on the processorto perform the following acts: receive a plurality of reported currentvalues from a plurality of central boards located at a respectivetelecommunication site, each reported current value being identifiedwith a respective piece of telecommunication equipment; integrate theplurality of reported current values from the plurality of centralboards located at the respective telecommunication sites; and provide aGraphical User Interface (GUI) configured to allow a user to audit anenergy usage of each piece of telecommunication equipment of eachtelecommunication site provided by the reported current values.
 11. Theserver of claim 10, wherein the memory further stores instructionsexecutable on the processor to provide an approved standardtelecommunication equipment list to each of the plurality of centralboards located at the respective telecommunication sites, each of theapproved standard telecommunication equipment lists being tailored forthe respective telecommunication site.
 12. The server of claim 11,wherein the provided approved standard telecommunication equipment listallows a selection of a piece of telecommunication equipment to beinstalled in-line with a power protection device disposed in a primarypower distribution system.
 13. The server of claim 12, wherein theprimary power distribution system is a battery distribution feeder bay(BDFB).
 14. The server of claim 11, wherein the provided approvedstandard telecommunication equipment list allows a selection of a pieceof telecommunication equipment to be installed in-line with a powerprotection device disposed in a secondary power distribution system. 15.The server of claim 14, wherein the secondary power distribution systemis a fuse panel system.
 16. One or more computer-readable mediacomprising computer-executable instructions to implement the followingacts: receive a plurality of reported current values from a plurality ofcentral boards, each reported current value being identified with arespective piece of telecommunication equipment and each of theplurality of central boards being located at a respectivetelecommunication site; integrate the plurality of reported currentvalues from the plurality of central boards located at the respectivetelecommunication sites; and provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI)configured to allow a user to audit an energy usage of each piece oftelecommunication equipment of each telecommunication site provided bythe reported current values.
 17. The one or more computer-readable mediaof claim 16, further comprising receiving an alarm signal or a statussignal of a power management device.
 18. The one or morecomputer-readable media of claim 17, wherein the power management devicecomprises a rectifier or a generator.
 19. The one or morecomputer-readable media of claim 16, further comprising receiving astatus signal of a control device.
 20. The one or more computer-readablemedia of claim 19, wherein the control device comprises a Low VoltageDisconnect (LVD) control or a thermal control.